In programming terms:it's the difference between copy-pasting some code vs. extracting the core design pattern and using that. An important part of a design is

In programming terms:it's the difference between copy-pasting some code vs. extracting the core design pattern and using that. An important part of a design is the tradeoffs/decisions that went into it, and how it adapts in the face of new circumstances. Copying the final result is a shadow of copying the thinking process.